St Patrick’s principal in surprise resignation over admission policy
ST PATRICK’S National School in Greystones ‘is not going in any new direction and has no plans to do so’, according to chairman of the board Rev David Mungavin in a letter to staff and parents.
School principal Eileen Jackson wrote to parents last Friday to say she was resigning due to a perceived prioritisation of children who are actively involved in the parish and who attend church services.
‘Eileen’s resignation came as a surprise to myself and to the board,’ said Rev Mungavin in his letter.
He said that there have been no changes to the school’s ethos or admission policy and there are no planned changes. He said that the school will remain a diverse and inclusive school under Church of Ireland management.
‘ The board, in conjunction with the patron, will work to ensure that the transition to a new principal will be smooth and seamless,’ wrote Rev Mungavin. ‘I would like to pay tribute to Eileen’s dedication and commitment as principal over many years and wish Eileen the very best for the future.’
The admission policy of the school, published on its website, explains that priority will be given to those who are ‘members or accustomed members’ of the parish.
While a ‘ baptism barrier’ will be prohibited under forthcoming legislations, minority religions will continue to be legally entitled to prioritise according to faith.
However, the Schools Admissions Act, due to come into force for children starting in September 2019, allows for the consideration of evidence such as a baptismal certificate only.
Ms Jackson had been principal at St Patrick’s for 23 years and has taught there for 32 of her 37 years as a teacher.
She said that her decision to resign was to do with the Church of Ireland’s ‘core values of freedom of conscience, toler- ance, and inclusivity’.
‘Admission to State-funded education cannot and must not be an adjunct to, or a collateral benefit of, parochial engagement,’ wrote Ms Jackson. ‘St Patrick’s appears to be taking a new direction and, in conscience, I am not the person to lead the school in this context. ‘I have become increasingly concerned at our departure from belief in, and commitment to, core elements of Church of Ireland ethos.’
In a petition started by Ciara Kelly in support of Ms Jackson, she said that the principal was being ‘forced’ to resign and said that it can’t be assumed that parents have confidence in the board of management.
She said that the board of management had turned down an extra teacher last year and added that this comes shortly after the loss of a deputy principal (who moved to become a principal elsewhere) and school secretary (who retired).
The petition had gathered more than 400 signatures yesterday.